Stage 1: Denial
The first stage on the DMIS is denial. This stage is often created based on the belief that a person's culture is the only real culture. People in this stage often fail to see cultural differences and tend to isolate themselves from other groups (Cushner, McClelland, & Safford, 2012, p. 155). Often times, people that are in the stage of denial are not interested in cultural differences and could care less about people other then the ones that are in their direct culture .
Common phrases that learners might use at this stage are:
"All big cities are the same; lots of buildings, too many cars, and McDonald's."
"With my experience, I can be successful in any culture without any special effort."
"I never experience culture shock"
"As long as we all speak the same language, there's no problem."
"All big cities are the same; lots of buildings, too many cars, and McDonald's."
"With my experience, I can be successful in any culture without any special effort."
"I never experience culture shock"
"As long as we all speak the same language, there's no problem."
(Bennet,1993, p. 1)
To help students move out of this stage, teachers need to educate students about other cultures and allow them to explore the differences between themselves and others. Teachers can also provide students with culture specific information that will bring about curiosity about other culture (Bennett, 1993,p. 1).